The Shadow
Last week, Alleghany Cougar fans and players no longer needed school colors to represent their home team. In all likelihood, we were all a bit blue last week when a cold front moved through our county, bringing in snow, ice, and rain to the tune of shutting down schools and businesses alike. While we all traded in our pom poms and stadium cushions for hot cocoa and electric blankets, our Alleghany players were likely cozying up by the fire with an Xbox or PS5 controller, taking a break from winter sports.
After a week off for some much-needed rest and relaxation, I think I speak for all of us when I say I am glad the cold front is over… at least for now. You never really know how much of the gymnasium you miss until you’re forced to miss it: the smell of the new paint still lingering in the air mixed with the aroma of fresh popcorn popping in the hallways of Alleghany High School (AHS); the sound of basketballs thumping against new wooden floors and the roar of the crowd when the impossible 3-point shot sails effortlessly through the basketball net; the sight of the “rollercoaster cheer” led by AHS superfan, Nick, who I’ve seen at nearly every game since I began writing the sports page for the Virginian Review.
Yes, I’d say it’s past time to get back in the gym and back to work! Three out of four of our basketball teams are showing potential for playoffs while the fourth, I maintain, will be an unstoppable force if they are able to get their bearings this season. Our boys’ and girls’ indoor track teams are breaking school records (the girls’ relay team anyway) and seeing a bigger turnout in participants than they’ve seen in years, the Varsity wrestling team has been stomping the competition -no pun intended, and even the swim & dive teams are showing up and making a splash against the competition -pun absolutely intended.
Beginning today, winter sports are back on, and everyone is traveling! The Covington Middle School (CMS) basketball teams are headed to Llylburn Downing Middle School, the JV and Varsity girls’ basketball teams are off to go head-to-head against the Carroll County Cavaliers at Carroll County High School, and the JV and Varsity boys’ basketball teams are going to Radford High School to face off against the Radford Bobcats.
Best of luck to all the Cougar teams moving forward. In the meantime, it’s great to be back!
